World Cup 2010: Asamoah Gyan’s late penalty sinks ten-man Serbia

Asamoah Gyan kept his cool to convert a late penalty and secure a 1-0 win for Ghana over ten-man Serbia in the opening Group D game in Pretoria.

Serbia substitute Zdravko Kuzmanovic inexplicably decided to handle a cross in his own penalty area when under no pressure, presenting Gyan with the chance to clinch a deserved victory for Ghana five minutes from time.

Asamoah Gyan scores Ghana’s decisive penalty (PA)

The Rennes striker proceeded to send Vladimir Stojkovic the wrong way and slot the ball home from the spot.

Kuzmanovic was not the only Serbian player guilty of a moment of madness, as Aleksandar Lukovic picked up a second yellow card in the 74th minute for a needless foul on Gyan.

The red card served to inspire Serbia to their best period of the game, but their efforts to snatch a victory ended when the Black Stars were gifted the penalty.

Ghana could have doubled their lead in stoppage time, but Gyan hit the post when clean through on goal.

They had looked the more dangerous team throughout the first half, with Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng and Hoffenheim’s Prince Tagoe controlling play.

However, their attacks mostly ended with crosses being cleared by the well-marshalled Serbia defence, which featured Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic.

Serbia lacked ideas going forward and their best chance before the break came from an Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick which flew just wide.

Raddy Antic’s men were slightly more adventurous after half-time, with Milan Jovanovic catching the eye, but Ghana still posed the greater threat and Serbia were relieved to see Dede Ayew head wide from Tagoe’s pinpoint cross.

Milos Krasic had a great chance to snatch an undeserved lead for Serbia shortly after the red card, but smashed his shot straight at the goalkeeper. It proved to be a costly miss.

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